ROCHESTER – Drivers will see a permanently reduced speed limit along a three-mile section of US 12 between Grand Mound and Rochester. Crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation installed new speed limit signs along the highway on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

The reduced speed limit occurs on US 12 from mileposts 42.9 to 46.1, approximately between Roseburg Street Southwest and Old Highway 99 in Grand Mound. The 55 mph speed limit in that area has been reduced to 50 mph, effective immediately.

In addition, yesterday crews installed new 45 mph advisory speed limit signs near the intersections of US 12 and Denmark and Pecan Streets Southwest.

Rumble strips were also installed in both directions of US 12 near Pecan and Denmark Streets. Rumble strips are grooves in the roadway that produce noise and vibration when vehicle tires contact them. The noise and vibrations produced by the rumble strips are intended to alert inattentive drivers to the upcoming intersections.

WSDOT reduced the speed limit after community requests prompted a safety analysis and speed study of that section of highway. WSDOT urges motorists to abide by the revised, posted speed limit.